HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 [02] Feb 05
I Qlficial Minutes - Planning Commission
Pursuant to due call and notice thereot: the Planning Commission met in regular session on Monday, February 5,
2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Commissioners S. Kathleen Kalinowski, Mike Deutz, Jim Graeve, Gary Utsch, Kurt
Schneider, Al Rassier.
Members Absent: Marge Lesnick
Others Present: Chad A. Carlson, Gary Hawkins, Jason Klinefelter, Larry Hosch, and Mark Lambert.
Sprine Green Lawn Care:
Carlson introduced the project to the Planning Commission. Spring Green will be constructing a 4,200 square foot
warehouse and office complex within the industrial park area. The business is currently located on County Road
#74 in St. Cloud. The company plans on constructing the facility this summer.
Gary Hawkins, owner, stated that 1,200 to 1,500 square feet will be office space and the remaining warehouse. The
exterior of the facility will meet the covenants of the industrial park. The exterior will consist of brick, lap siding
and steel. Hawkins stated that the business is a lawn care company that employs 7-8 people with some being
seasonal. The company is well paying and offers complete benefits.
Rassier questioned the company's precautions taken with the storage of chemicals. Hawkins stated that the
Department of Agriculture will be inspecting and approving the building design. In addition, their company does
not store bulk chemicals used in the operation of the building. They use dry chemical product. Dry materials are
not required to have a dike system for drainage. They do have floor drain in the facility. The Department of
I Agriculture will do an inspection on the facility every three years.
Utsch asked if the company would consider including a lock box in the construction plan. The box would hold a
key to the facility in the event of a fire. Only the Fire Department would have access to the key. Hawkins stated
that he would suggest that the box be included in the building plans.
Utsch reminded Planning Commission members that they need to approve the landscaping and site plans. Utsch
requested Hawkins detail the landscaping plan. Hawkins stated that the landscaping again meets all the
requirements of the covenants and will be a mixture of tree, bushes, and lawn. Since this is their business, the job
will be done professionally and it will serve as a training and testing ground for employees.
Deutz moved to approve the site and landscaping plan as submitted by Spring Green Lawn Care; Seconded
by Kalinowski. The motion passed unanimously by those present
Rental License Review and Approval:
Carlson informed Planning Commission that they are now required by S1. Joseph Code of Ordinance Section 55.11,
Subdivision 1 to review and approve the application for a rental license as it relates to zoning ordinances of the City
of St. Joseph. Carlson stated that the Planning Commission has applications ftom P&L of St. Joseph and Tim
Borresch. Carlson suggested that the Planning Commission take each application separately.
1) P&L of St. Joseph - Utsch informed the Planning Commission that this is a license transfer ftom the sale
transaction of the LaPIayette. Rassier added that this rental unit also has office space in the back ofthe building
and meets the requirements of a permitted use in the General Business District.
Kalinowski moved to approve the application of rental license for P&Lof St. Joseph; Seconded by
I Deutz. The motion passed unanimously by those present
2) Tim Borresch - Utsch informed the Planning Commission that he is very concerned by the decision made by
the City Council to rezone this property to R-3 after all the discussions that took place regarding this issue.
Now the City Council is requesting the Planning Commission to approve a rental application. Utsch stated that
February 5, 2001, 11in~tes
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rental units are not specifically listed under permitted uses and can not be approved. Utsch suggested that the I
Planning Commission list the items that are permitted. Utsch further added that he believes the rental
inspection should take place prior to approving the applic~tion. The Planning Commission needs to have the
inspection information prior to their meeting.
Deutz expressed his concern that the Planning Commission should not be second guessing the rental inspector's
findings. Planning Commission is only responsible for determining that the property meets the requirements of
the Zoning District and other zoning requirements. The Planning Commission is not responsible for enforcing
Ordinance 55.
Deutz moved to table the application approval until Carlson has developed a re\iew process and has
spoken with the Rental Inspector regarding the process; Seconded by Graeve. The motion passed
unanimously by those present.
Zoninl! Map Review:
Utsch stated the intent, as directed by the City Council, is to review the Zoning Map and redefine areas where
appropriate. Specifically are~s that may be more conducive R-2, R-3 or Business. Utsch suggested that the
Planning Commission review the Zoning Map and bring suggestions to the next Planning Commission meeting.
Carlson stated that he intends to create an overhe~d that identifies the zoning district boundaries and then an
overlay identifYing the location of rental units within the districts. The Planning Commission agreed that this
would help with the discussion.
Utsch requested Carlson clarifY the permitted uses allowed within a R-3 District. The permitted uses are very
vague and limited. Carlson stated that the intent of the Ordinance is to allow a concentration of high density
rental properties within the community. The Borresch rental unit discussed e~rlier is allowed in an R-3 under
the intent of the Ordinance because it is within an area of concentrated rental units. Carlson will provide a I
detailed explanation at the next meeting. Grave added that Carlson should provide R-3 regulations of other
cities to assist in the discussion.
Graeve stated that the Planning Commission should also be reviewing the Comprehensive Plan~' if not before the
Zoning Map changes. Graeve stated that the Comprehensive Plan guides the zoning of the còmmunity. The '.
Zoning Map should nQt~ first. . .
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Rassier stated that Planning Commission was direCi:etl by the City Cou~cil to review the lDning Map. The
Planning Commission should start with this project first. Since the Planning Commission is no longer under a
time constraint due to the Borresch property, the Planning Commission can take time to discuss the project in
depth. The ground work can be started.
Carlson suggested that a consultant be hired to assist the Planning Commission in revising the CoriIpreIlensive
Plan. A consultant implies more validity to the document and takes the Planning Commission out of the
politics. Carlson suggested that Planning Commission pursue a grant to offset the cost ofa (xmsultant.
Rassier agreed and stated that an outside professional may have additional insights on planning. Rassier stated
that he doesn't have a copy of the Comprehensive Plan and requested Carlson bring him one for the next
meeting. Carlson stated that he would also bring a copy for Commissioner Deutz.
Rassier made a motion to pursue hiring a planning consultant to assist the Planning Commission in
revising the Comprehensiye Pwn ~l.1d r.ese.arch the possibility of grant funds to cover the cost of the
consultant; Seconded by Graeve.
Discussion: Deutz expressed concern that the Planning Commission was instructed to review the zoning I
map and make changes were needed. The Planning Commission needs to address this issue first. The
Comprehensive Plan update may take many months before it is completed. The City just updated the
Comprehensive Plan in 1997 and shouldn't be outdated at this time.
February 5, 2001 Minutes
I Rassier agreed, but the Planning Commission could started the process of hiring a consWtimt ~ 4J!t)'ing
to grant programs. The Planning Commission could start by reviewing the Compre«it~ivþ flInt n., . ~f1çf
identify. changes that need to be ma~e. Kalinowski agreed and stated that a C~pw~~eMfY«.' Plap may take
a long tIme to complete by referencmg the process ftom the last update~ . .. . ,
The motion passed with the following vote:
Ayes: Kalinowski, Schneider, Utsch, Rassier, and Graeve
Nays: Deutz Motion Carried
Commissioner Announcements:
Graeve requested that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council address isswys that have been
discussed in the past, without any resolution. Graeve requested Council Rassier bring forward to ilw City Çouncil
the following items:
1) Parking on Minnesota Street - Graeve requested that the City Council consider removing the yellow ,
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curb ftom the comer ofthe laundry mat to the alley on the Krebsbach Property. This would provide}
to 4 additional parking stalls.
2) Joint Trenching - Graeve stated that members of the past City Council and Planning Commission
members have met with utility companies to request they joint trench all utilities in the road right-of-
way and not in the 10 foot lot easement. The purpose is to save the environment and trees in new
developments. The City Council has yet to formally address this issue.
3) Lock Boxes - Graeve stated that he has had a conversation with the Fire Chief whereby he is
requesting the Planning Commission encourage new commercial and industrial buildings to include a
lo~k box. 1?e loc~ bo~ woul.d con~~ a key t~ the facility in case of a fire.. Graeve suggesteg that t~e
City Council consider mcludmg this m an Ordmance. The cost of the box is reasonable at $100 -$1 O.
I Approval Minutes:
Kalinowski made a motion to approve the January 8, 2001 meeting minutes with the following changes;
1) "Jack Bass" should be changed to "Jack Rassier"
2) "Lisa Krebsbach should be changed to "Marie Krebsbach"
3) Other minor grammatical errors.
Seconded by Graeve. The motion passed unanimously by those present.
-Bl ting adjourned by consensus at 8.25p.m.
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February 5, 200i Minutes